How to behave as a guest at a ceremony?

Even in a big city like Tokyo, you can escape the hustle and bustle for a zen moment!
To get the most out of the tea ritual, it’s best to prepare to attend one. Japanese culture is extremely codified and as a tourist you have to abide by the country’s codes. By attending a tea ceremony , you can learn a lot about the foundations of Japanese identity.
You can attend a practice session before going to an authentic ceremony, either open to the general public or intended for non-Japanese people if you want explanations in English or Spanish.
During a ceremony, there are usually 4 or 5 guests. Everyone has a predefined role, especially the first guest, the  shokyaku . This role will be reserved for guides or Japanese initiates in the art of tea ceremony. He is the one who communicates with the tea master, called  teishu .

There are several things you need to know: How to behave as a guest at a ceremony?

You should not enter until invited to do so.
You must remove your shoes before entering.
You should bend down to go through the low door as a sign of respect.
You should sit in a seiza position (on your knees) where you are told to sit.
Don’t talk, eat, or drink until invited to do so.
You should eat and drink what they give you (tea and sweets).
You should not smoke.
When in doubt, don’t say anything and wait until they tell you what to do.
You can easily attend a tea ceremony in Tokyo (like, for example, in this hotel ) or Kyoto and even in Spain if you want. The tea ceremony is simple, as long as you follow the basic rules.